Rottweilers are beautiful dogs. They have big, muscular bodies that make them look intimidating. But are these dogs aggressive? Do Rotterilers belong to the dangerous group of breeds? Well, it depends. It’s not unusual to see an angry Rottweiler, but they don’t have to be aggressive.
Now, we know that sounds a bit confusing, but don’t worry, by the end of this article you’ll understand what we mean.
In this article we’ll take a closer look at Rottweilers and if they are aggressive dogs.
While you’re here, read more about Rottweilers:
- Rottweiler cropped ears: Why it isn’t done
- Female Rottweiler VS male Rottweiler
- German Rottweiler vs. American Rottweiler
You can also read about the most popular Rottweiler mixes:
- Rottweiler And German Shepherd Mix
- Pitbull and Rottweiler Mix: Strong And Clever
- Doberman Rottweiler Mix: Breed Info
- Rottweiler Husky Mix: The gorgeous designer dog
- Boxer Rottweiler Mix: Everything To Know
Angry Rottweiler – The true nature of this breed
With their dark fur and sturdy size, Rottweilers definitely make an impression. Today, these dogs are widely known as being great watchdogs, and many people consider them dangerous. But is that really true?
Well, despite its reputation, the Rottweiler is a wonderful family dog. If they are in the right hands. If they have a good owner, these dogs will be very reliable and take their job as a watchdog seriously. But, they will also always stay friendly and loyal to their family.
Of course, you can witness an angry Rottweiler if they have a bad owner. It’s no secret that an irresponsible and neglectful owner can create a dangerous dog. This applies to Rottweilers too.
Of course, training a dog isn’t easy, especially when you’re dealing with such a large breed. But any dog trainer will tell you that training a Rottweiler is no more difficult to train than any other dog. And they aren’t any more aggressive than other breeds. But, the reason many people are afraid of them is because of their size, appearance, and bad reputation.
Rottweiler personality
Even though Rottweilers appears intimidating and dangerous on the outside, he has a gentle and serene personality. He gets along nicely with kids and is not bothered by other dogs. The Rottweiler can even get along with cats if he is introduced to them at a young age.
The perfect Rottweiler is calm, self-assured, and brave, with no fear. He has a confident aloofness about him, and he doesn’t make friends with just anyone. With new individuals or situations, he prefers to take a wait-and-see approach. He is devoted toward his family and constantly follows them around the house.
This isn’t a dog who gets overly excited. He has a natural urge to protect his family and possessions, but he should never be aggressive toward those who are not threatening him. The Rottweiler is a very intelligent and adaptable dog with a strong work ethic.
Rottweilers demand constant, rigorous, but not brutal discipline. A strong scolding is usually enough, but only if you’ve cemented your superiority. Otherwise, he may try to manipulate you. Also, know that this is not a dog for people who have no self-confidence. With this breed, you need to be aware that you’re the leader, not your dog. And for this, you need a lot of confidence in yourself and your skills.
Also, they are not for people who don’t have the time to commit to training them. You can’t set limits and teach consequences for incorrect actions over night. You will need to put in a lot of work and patience to earn a Rottweiler’s loyalty and trust.
Are they aggressive
We’ve already mentioned that Rottweilers don’t have to be aggressive. It all depends on how they are raised and trained.
Now, some people might tell you that every Rottweiler is an angry Rottweiler. They might tell you aggressive behavior is in their genes. But, the truth is, training is more important than genes. In most cases, the reason why an animal is aggressive is usually not due to the dog’s nature, but the upbringing and training.
Many people that get Rottweilers often don’t treat the animals as they should. For example, a Poodle or Shih Tzu are lovingly raised just because of their appearance. But with a Rottweiler, you think that he needs a hard hand and a particularly strict upbringing. But that’s not true. Training them too strictly and punishing them is even more likely to lead to them turning into an angry Rottweiler.
Of course, we’re not undermining the genetic component, either. It does play a big role in a dog’s final character. There are breeds that were bred as family dogs or hunting dogs, and the Rottweiler is more of a watchdog. But, we just want you to know that genes aren’t the only element that influences a dog’s character. Basically, to say that all Rottweilers are aggressive because of their genetics is a prejudice.
But, with that being said there are reasons why a Rottweiler might show aggressive behavior towards strangers:
Protection
Rottweilers were developed to protect. So, when they sense that their family might be at risk, instinctively they will try to protect them. For example, when a stranger approaches you or your family, your dog wants nothing more than to keep you safe. Now, this sounds cute, but in reality more times than not there is no actual reason for your dog to attack people.
Fear
If you have an angry Rottweiler, they might actually be anxious or scared. When your dog comes into contact with individuals or animals they don’t recognize, they immediately see them as a threat. Obviously, because of this, they tend to turn to aggressiveness. In their mind, it’s better to attack, than be attacked.
Inadequate training
Rottweilers require a lot of training to become friendly and affectionate dogs. If your dog didn’t get that, it might be the reason why you have an angry Rottweiler. It’s a fact that you will have problems later on with your dog’s behavior if you don’t train them right while they are puppies.